Handle With Care: Injuries in Schools and Preschools
As George Harrison sang, at times it feels that we have all “Been beat up and battered around” by the physical nature of our work.
Schools can be dangerous places, and at times we overlook potential risks and hazards. When a worker is injured, it can have life-changing impacts.
Think this doesn’t apply to you? Yes, it does!
Common Injuries Due to Manual Handling
The IEU have assisted members who sustained injuries due to:
- Teachers carrying home heavy bags.
- Education Support Officers toileting students and lifting or catching them when they fall.
- Ground staff being asked to unpack heavy equipment.
- Lifting paper from a high shelf to restock the photocopier.
- Using desk spaces that are poorly designed ergonomically.
- Music teachers moving equipment after the school concert.
- Physical Education teachers setting up for sports day.
- Staff helping children who need assistance on the play ground.
- Moving bulk food supplies in the tuck shop.
Understanding Manual Handling
Manual handling involves using your body to exert force to handle, support, or restrain any object.
This may include people, such as lifting children in preschool or restraining students in special education.
The risks are varied and can include lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, lowering, throwing, carrying, typing, leaning and using tools.
Potential Injuries from Manual Handling
Potential injuries may result from repetitive or sustained work or tasks that require awkward postures. Injuries may also occur where staff are undertaking a simple task but not focused on potential risk – such as moving or picking up items, reacting in the school yard to student behaviour or even just unplanned physical activity at an event ( eg. larking around at the sports carnival).
Specifically—and noting the list of actual incidents the IEU have assisted members with above—you or your colleagues may be at risk of injury in your daily tasks from:
- Moving heavy, large, or awkward equipment, teaching tools, or materials such as laptop trolleys, audiovisual equipment, class sets, chairs, tables, and building materials.
- Lifting, restraining, or moving children and young people, including toileting.
- Handling heavy or awkward equipment such as sporting equipment and music and audio equipment and hitching and unhitching trailers.
- Frequently handling items stored between knee and shoulder height.
- Hanging objects, displays, or projects at a height in buildings and classrooms.
- Performing computer-based or written tasks continuously for more than 30 minutes or a total of two hours in the day (e.g. preparation or report-writing).
Types of Injuries
The IEU regularly supports members who have been injured at work through manual handling incidents resulting in:
- Back injuries.
- Injuries to wrists, arms, shoulders, necks, or legs.
- Sprains and strains.
- Abdominal hernias.
- Pain.
- The cumulative effects of manual handling.
What Should You Do to Better Protect Your Workplace?
- Hold a Sub-Branch meeting and discuss the risks associated with manual handling in your school.
- Request a report on the accidents/incidents at school to understand the risks and evaluate how they are being removed or mitigated.
- Request that your school, in consultation with staff, assess the risk and put strategies in place to remove the risk.
If you need advice or assistance in setting up a meeting and addressing Work, Health & Safety (WHS) concerns, your IEU organiser is available to help. So, give them a call. Let’s work together to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for everyone.
If you are injured at work ring the IEU for expert advice on your rights and entitlements – 8410 0122 or enquiries@ieusa.org.au
